I've been analyzing a couple of tables with win/tie percentages for each starting hand given the number of players. It's mostly making sense, but it seems that the statistics suggest playing even LOOSER when there are more players. WHY? I can't see how more opposing players makes a flush or straight inclined couple of cards to be even better. In addition, Apu's pre-flop folding strategy (he includes tables for what cards to play or flop with suited or unsuited) suggest the same thing- play more loosely with more players! Now, it does suggest to play tighter if you have a K, but more loosely with lower cards!

Can someone explain why this is?

Also, click at your own risk, but this is Apu's site: https://www.cs.indiana.edu/~kapadia/...egy_total.html

...wtf, I tried understanding this but it doesn't take into account position, player types, players left to act... and the last line says "play lame hands once in awhile"

Has to be a troll...

In response to why more players are better when you make a flush, it's simple....more people to hit something weaker then a flush to pay you, it effects pot odds and implied odds with more players seeing flop, turn, river

It's true that with massively multiway situations, being suited and connected has more value (because you'll often need a straight or flush to beat everyone) whereas in heads up pots, high card value is more pronounced (because a good top pair will often win).

I wouldn't recommend playing very loosely unless you're on a play money site where 8-way pots are common though. FWIW, when I used to crush Zynga about 6 years ago, my pre-flop strategy was "play any pair, any ace, any suited connector 54s+, and any two cards 8 or higher (e.g. 98o+)". If I did that in real money games, I'd get massacred.

If more players are putting money into the pot, you are more likely to have the odds you need to pay off your speculative hands

I'm confused by your confusion. Are you just surprised by how often you have a greater than 1/9 chance of winning? Cuz even 27 only needs to hit 3/50 and 3/49 to beat pockets that don't trip. Just because you have the odds doesn't mean you have the bankroll to get through the variance

Play good hands has always been the way to become a poker jedi